• Wind and Structures
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.199-211
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• 2018

This paper deals with wind fragility and risk analysis of high rise buildings subjected to stochastic wind load. Conventionally, such problems are dealt in full Monte Carlo Simulation framework, which requires extensive computational time. Thus, to make the procedure computationally efficient, application of metamodelling technique in fragility analysis is explored in the present study. Since, accuracy by the conventional Least Squares Method (LSM) based metamodelling is often challenged, an efficient Moving Least Squares Method based adaptive metamodelling technique is proposed for wind fragility analysis. In doing so, artificial time history of wind load is generated by three wind field models: i.e., a simple one based on alongwind component of wind speed; a more detailed one considering coherence and wind directionality effect, and a third one considering nonstationary effect of mean wind. The results show that the proposed approach is more accurate than the conventional LSM based metamodelling approach when compared to full simulation approach as reference. At the same time, the proposed approach drastically reduces computational time in comparison to the full simulation approach. The results by the three wind field models are compared. The importance of non-linear structural analysis in fragility evaluation has been also demonstrated.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.5 no.2_3_4
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• pp.177-192
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• 2002

Computation solutions for the flow around a cube, which were generated as part of the Computational Wind Engineering 2000 Conference Competition, are compared with full-scale measurements. The three solutions shown all use the RANS approach to predict mean flow fields. The major differences appear to be related to the use of the standard $k-{\varepsilon}$, the MMK $k-{\varepsilon}$ and the RNG $k-{\varepsilon}$ turbulence models. The inlet conditions chosen by the three modellers illustrate one of the dilemmas faced in computational wind engineering. While all modeller matched the inlet velocity profile to the full-scale profile, only one of the modellers chose to match the full-scale turbulence data. This approach led to a boundary layer that was not in equilibrium. The approach taken by the other modeller was to specify lower inlet turbulent kinetic energy level, which are more consistent with the turbulence models chosen and lead to a homogeneous boundary layer. For the $0^{\circ}$ case, wind normal to one face of the cube, it is shown that the RNG solution is closest to the full-scale data. This result appears to be associated with the RNG solution showing the correct flow separation and reattachment on the roof. The other solutions show either excessive separation (MMK) or no separation at all (K-E). For the $45^{\circ}$ case the three solutions are fairly similar. None of them correctly predicting the high suctions along the windward edges of the roof. In general the velocity components are more accurately predicted than the pressures. However in all cases the turbulence levels are poorly matched, with all of the solutions failing to match the high turbulence levels measured around the edges of separated flows. Although all of the computational solutions have deficiencies, the variability of results is shown to be similar to that which has been obtained with a similar comparative wind tunnel study. This suggests that the computational solutions are only slightly less reliable than the wind tunnel.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-56
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• 2023

To ensure the wind stability of a long-span suspension bridge during deck erection under skew wind, based on the aerostatic and self-excited aerodynamic force models under skew wind, a computational approach of refined flutter analysis for long-span bridges under skew wind is firstly established, in which the effects of structural nonlinearity, the static wind action and full-mode coupling etc are fully considered, and the corresponding computational procedure is programmed. By taking the Runyang suspension bridge over the Yangtze River as example, the flutter stability of the bridge in completion under skew wind is then analyzed with the aerodynamic parameters of a similar bridge deck measured from the sectional model wind tunnel test under skew wind. Finally, through simulating the girder segments erected symmetrically from the midspan to towers, from the towers to midspan and simultaneously from the towers and midspan to the quarter points, respectively, the evolutions of flutter stability limits during the deck erection under skew wind are investigated numerically, the favorable aerodynamically deck erection sequence is proposed, and the influences of skew wind and static wind effect on the flutter stability of suspension bridge under construction are ascertained.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.483-497
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• 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of flow around a hipped-roof building representative of UK inland conditions are conducted. Unsteady simulations are performed using three variations of the k-ϵ RANS turbulence model namely, the Standard, Realizable, and RNG models, and their predictive capability is measured against current European building standards. External pressure coefficients and wind loading are found through the BS 6399-2:1997 standard (obsolete) and the current European standards (BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 and A1:20101). The current European standard provides a more conservative wind loading estimate compared to its predecessor and the k-ϵ RNG model falls within 15% of the value predicted by the current standard. Surface shear stream-traces and Q-criterion were used to analyze the flow physics for each model. The RNG model predicts immediate flow separation leading to the creation of vortical structures on the hipped-roof along with a larger separation region. It is observed that the Realizable model predicts the side vortex to be a result of both the horseshoe vortex and the flow deflected off it. These model-specific aerodynamic features present the most disparity between building standards at leeward roof locations. Finally, pedestrian comfort and safety criteria are studied where the k-ϵ Standard model predicts the most ideal pedestrian conditions and the Realizable model yields the most conservative levels.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.491-515
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• 2013

Wind pressure characteristics on a double tower high-rise structure, which is disturbed by surrounding buildings, were investigated using large eddy simulation (LES) and 1:300 scale wind tunnel experiments. The computational simulation technique and wind tunnel experimental technique were described in detail initially. Comparisons of computational results with the experimental data have subsequently been carried out to validate the reliability of LES. Comparisons have been performed in detail for the mean and fluctuating pressure coefficients. Detailed explanations of each comparison were given in the paper. To study further on the pressure coefficients on the building surfaces, parametric studies on shape coefficient and spatial correlation were performed and investigated. The numerical and experimental results presented in this paper advance understanding on wind field around buildings and the application of LES and wind tunnel tests.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2020

Modelling incompressible, neutrally stratified, barotropic, horizontally homogeneous and steady-state atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is an important aspect in computational wind engineering (CWE) applications. The ABL flow can be viewed as a balance of the horizontal pressure gradient force, the Coriolis force and the turbulent stress divergence. While much research has focused on the increase of the wind velocity with height, the Ekman layer effects, entailing veering - the change of the wind velocity direction with height, are far less concerned in wind engineering. In this paper, a modified k-ε model is introduced for the ABL simulation considering wind veering. The self-sustainable method is discussed in detail including the precursor simulation, main simulation and near-ground physical quantities adjustment. Comparisons are presented among the simulation results, field measurement values and the wind profiles used in the conventional wind tunnel test. The studies show that the modified k-ε model simulation results are consistent with field measurement values. The self-sustainable method is effective to maintain the ABL physical quantities in an empty domain. The wind profiles used in the conventional wind tunnel test have deficiencies in the prediction of upper-level winds. The studies in this paper support future practical super high-rise buildings design in CWE.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.657-677
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• 2017

This paper discusses some features and conditions that characterize the Zonda wind, focusing particularly on the implications for wind engineering applications. This kind of wind, typical of mountainous regions, is far from being adequately characterized for computational simulations and proper modeling in experimental facilities such as boundary layer wind tunnels. The objective of this article is to report the research works that are being developed on this kind of wind, describing the main obtained results, and also to establish some general guidelines for the proper analysis of the Zonda in the wind engineering context. A classification for the Zonda wind is indicated and different cases of structural and environmental effects are described. Available meteorological data is analyzed from the wind engineering point of view to obtain the Zonda wind gust factors, as well as basic wind speeds relevant for structural design. Some considerations and possible directions for the Zonda wind-tunnel and computational modeling are provided. Gust factor values larger than those used for open terrain were obtained, nevertheless, the basic wind speed values obtained are similar to values presented by the Argentinian Wind Code for three-second gust, principally at Mendoza airport.

• Proceedings of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.63-70
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• 2005

For using narrow site effectively, recently constructions of high-rise buildings have been increased. High-rise buildings are mainly governed by wind loads. Since wind flow Is vaned irregularly, the experimental method such as wind tunnel test is used to evaluate real wind loads. In this study, it is intended to estimate design wind pressure and amounts of material of cladding by AIK recommendations and wind tunnel test. Also, this study includes the investigation of reliability, suitability and economical efficiency in design of cladding of buildings by AIK recommendations and wind tunnel test by comparing and examining various results. Finally, it is concluded that not only AIK recommendations but also wind tunnel test should be considered to get the reasonable wind pressure acting on the cladding of high-rise buildings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.517-542
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• 2022

The effect of mean angle of wind attack on the flutter critical wind speed of two generic bridge deck cross-sections, viz, one closed box type streamlined section (deck-1) and closed box trapezoidal bluff type section with extended flanges/overhangs (deck-2) type of section have been studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based forced vibration simulation method. Owing to the importance of the effect of the amplitude of forcing oscillation on the flutter onset, its effect on the flutter derivatives and flutter onset have been studied, especially at non-zero mean angles of wind attack. The flutter derivatives obtained have been used to evaluate flutter critical wind speeds and flutter index of the deck sections at non-zero mean angles of wind attack studied and the same have been validated with those based on experimental results reported in literature. The value of amplitude of forcing oscillation in torsional degree of freedom for CFD based simulations is suggested to be in the range of 0.5° to 2°, especially for bluff bridge deck sections. Early onset of flutter from numerical simulations, thereby conservative estimate of occurrence of instability has been observed from numerical simulations in case of bluff bridge deck section. The study aids in gaining confidence and the extent of applicability of CFD during early stages of bridge design, especially towards carrying out studies on mean incident wind effects.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-73
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• 2020

Wind fragility analysis (WFA) of concrete chimney is often executed disregarding temperature effects. But combined wind and temperature effect is the most critical limit state to define the safety of a chimney. Hence, in this study, WFA of a 70 m tall RC chimney for combined wind and temperature effects is explored. The wind force time-history is generated by spectral representation method. The safety of chimney is assessed considering limit states of stress failure in concrete and steel. A moving-least-squares method based dual response surface method (DRSM) procedure is proposed in WFA to alleviate huge computational time requirement by the conventional direct Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) approach. The DRSM captures the record-to-record variation of wind force time-histories and uncertainty in system parameters. The proposed DRSM approach yields fragility curves which are in close conformity with the most accurate direct MCS approach within substantially less computational time. In this regard, the error by the single-level RSM and least-squares method based DRSM can be easily noted. The WFA results indicate that over temperature difference of 150℃, the temperature stress is so pronounced that the probability of failure is very high even at 30 m/s wind speed. However, below 100℃, wind governs the design.